New Spurs deal tops off dream week for Winks

TOTTENHAM rookie Harry Winks is set to top off the week in which he made his full England debut with more good news with Spurs readying themselves to offer the star midfielder a new double-your-money contract.

Mauricio Pochettino’s international players return to Spurs Lodge today (Thursday) to prepare for Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Bournemouth at Wembley. And Winks is set to be ushered into the chairman’s office to pen a new deal which will see him earn a reported £40,000-a-week.

The 21-year-old is set to be a key player for Pochettino this month as the Spurs manager seeks to use the depth within his squad to maximum effect.

After Bournemouth the Tottenham players will be packing their bags for a trip to Spain’s capital ahead of a crunch showdown versus Champions League holders Real Madrid on Tuesday, followed by Premier League games against Liverpool and Manchester United and a League Cup game against West Ham.

Winks, an academy graduate, was an unused substitute in England’s 1-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday, but played the whole of the 1-0 victory over Lithuania on Sunday.

Speaking ahead of his “dream” debut for his country, Winks said: “It is still a bit surreal. I trained with the Under-21s on Monday morning and then I found out shortly afterwards that I was with the seniors.

“It all happened so quickly, so sharply, and I’m still trying to get my head around it.

“I was obviously gobsmacked, over the moon. I got on the phone, called my mum and dad, told them the news and they couldn’t believe it either.”

With first-choice midfielder Mousa Dembele out with an ankle injury, and known for having to go through pain management to play regularly, the continuing development of Enfield-born Winks is seen as a major plus for Pochettino’s future planning.

Meanwhile, Jan Vertonghen was mobbed by his team-mates at the end of Belgium’s resounding 4-0 win against Cyprus on Tuesday night.

The defender became his country’s top all-time appearance holder after winning his 97th international cap.

Fellow Spur and countrymen Dembele said: “Proud to say that my brother is a record-breaker. So happy for you on this achievement.”